Assembly Republicans meet, take stock

Friday, Nov. 10, 2000 | 9:24 a.m.

Thirteen of the 15 Republican members of the Assembly met in Las Vegas to decide the leadership question. Assemblywoman Sandra Tiffany, R-Henderson, said Hettrick was re-elected without any dispute.

Assemblywoman Barbara Cegavske, R-Las Vegas, was picked as assistant minority leader. She had shared the job in 1999 with Assemblyman David Humke, R-Reno.

The caucus also named two whips: Assemblywoman Kathy Von Tobel, R-Las Vegas, and Assemblyman Greg Brower, R-Reno.

Floor leaders, including the assistant minority leader and the whips, are party officials who are responsible for maintaining the party line on partisan issues.

Republicans picked up one seat in the Tuesday election with the defeat of Assemblywoman Gene Segerblom, D-Boulder City. The new representative is Assemblyman-elect David Brown, R-Henderson.

The win gives Republicans 15 seats in the 42-member Assembly, one more than in 1999.

"Hopefully, by picking up one more seat, we'll be able to add another Republican to each committee," Tiffany said. "It's not monumental, but it's a start."

Assembly Republicans tried to make stronger gains in the election, but faced strong Democratic incumbents with the edge in registered voters, she said.